Trailing 7-0, Middletown North drove to the Toms River East 13 yard line. An eight-yard screen pass from quarterback Nick Ferreira to Matt Spencer had given the Lions a first down. On the play, however, on the far side of the field, Ferreira went down and limped off. He missed the next two series.

In the confusion of getting Spencer in the game at quarterback, the Lions took a penalty for delay of game. Then, they were called for illegal procedure.

So, on first and 20 from Toms River East 23, Spencer takes his first snap in the shutgun. The play call was a pass. Spencer’s throw bounced off the hands of the intended receiver and was snagged out of the air by East’s Alex Smith.

Smith returned the pick 47 yards. Four carries by quarterback Mike Goodall and a one-yard dive by Yusuf Ahmed resulted in an East touchdown and a 14-0 lead with 7:20 left.